Marshmallows date back to ancient Egypt. Did they roast them like we do today? Who knows? What we do know is that around 2000 B.C. Egyptians picked the mallow plant from their marshes and squeezed the root to extract a sticky goop that could be used to make delicious sweets. French candy makers imitated the example of Egypt and sweetened the sap from the mallow root, whipped it, and then poured it into candy molds to create fluffy candy.
Today, makers of marshmallows no longer use the mallow plant. Instead, they whip together corn syrup, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla, and gelatin. That mixture is then put into long tube molds and cut into equal size pieces. Those pieces are what you roast over open flame or top your hot chocolate with.
This Marshmallows recipe is from the Food Facts and History Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
